(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

For a number of years now, the responsibility for preserving and furthering the legacy of the Sumner School in Parkersburg, W.Va., has been “in the hands” of the Sumnerite Association, Inc., In a real sense, as so clearly and correctly stated by a letter writer a few days ago in this newspaper, maintaining and advancing the legacy of our local Sumner School building belongs to all of us, indeed to the general public of the United States of America.

Why do I say that? Descendents of Africans, perhaps some were free African Americans and perhaps some descended from forcibly enslaved Africans, who planted the seed of “publicly financed education” in West Virginia.

That event occurred in 1862, one year before the state of West Virginia came into existence. At a time in the history of the United States when many states outlawed teaching enslaved Africans to read, write and understand mathematics, the African-American community of Parkersburg were not afraid to put their lives at stake in order to increase the chances of their children having a better life. It should be duly noted that the white citizens of Parkersburg at-large must be acknowledged for not interfering with the establishment of Sumner School.

The writer also made the clarion call to address the apparent restorative needs of the weather-beaten and vandalized Sumner School building. Kindly note, the recently revitalized Sumnerite Association is presently taking actions, i.e., “stepping up” to address the above noted immediate needs of the Sumner School building, with appropriate corrective steps that will be followed by a reconceptualized approach to preserving and advancing the Sumner School legacy. We look forward to obtaining input from the community at-large. Watch this space!

Mike Tibbs

President, Sumnerite Association Inc.

Parkersburg